Two Bosses Enter: Loken slips past Xevozz, Ymiron battles Krik'thir

Two Bosses Enter ... but only One Boss Leaves, in WoW.com's series of fantasy death matches. Welcome to the quarter-finals of the Original Five-Man Wrath of the Lich King season. Grab a seat, and let's get ready to rumble!

When the magical energies had died down, it was indeed Loken who remained standing in last week's Thunderdome matchup against Xevozz. The Dark Titan fought for every vote, claiming his victory with 52% spectator approval. We'll review how things went down after the break, plus you'll get a chance to vote in the last quarter-finals match of the season: Ymiron versus Krik'thir.

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls ... Dyin' time's here.

Last week: Loken shockwaves Xevozz

It was Loken with 52% to Xevozz's 44.9% inside the Two Bosses Thunderdome last week. Although the final vote didn't go this direction, we enjoyed reswab's recounting of the battle:

Loken was the first to step outside of the shadow into the Thunderdome's ring. Against the shadow of the other wall, he saw a faint glow move sporadically until a figure emerged from the darkness.

"Greetings Loken, I am Xevozz. You are probably wondering what we are doing here. Let me explain ..."
____

Far off in the Twisting Nether, there exists a center for ethereal traders and business-makers. The center thrives due to its position in the universe. It holds all the trading records, all the business transactions, all the profit and loss of all the Ethereal. There is a group of Ethereal who work there that consensually influence events in the universe so that they can gain profit and goods.

"Commander, Xevozz has returned. He wishes to speak with you immediately."

"Very well, escort him to me," replied the Commander.

Moments later, Xevozz appeared in the room. His rags were filthy and his armor dulled. His shoulders hunched over, he behaved as if he had just left a battle.

"Xevozz. It has been a very long time since we have heard from you. From the looks of you, you seem to have fought your way out. Care to explain?"

"During my reconnaissance, Dalaran Magi trapped and imprisoned me. It wasn't until the biggest stroke of fate occurred was I able to escape. Outside my cell portals began to spawn and dragonkin poured out of them. They killed the magi, but it wasn't until a squad of adventurers showed up did it get interesting. They killed the dragon waves until ,oddly, one dragonkin blew up my cell! I knew the adventurers worked for the magi, so I attacked them."

"And?"

Xevozz straightened his back. "We negotiated. Afterwards, I teleported here. I have business information for you."

"Go on with your report, then."

"The planet is high in arcane energy and contains many valuable resources. It was crafted by the Titans and its developed sentient species are highly adaptable. These are, in fact, the same groups we encountered in Outland. But from what I've observed, the planet is undergoing Effect O."

The commander sighed. He had seen this happen to many other of the Titan's creations. Their systems become infected and hell-bent on destroying itself.

"The profit gain from trading with the inhabitants is minimal compared to harvesting the planet. I believe those resources would be a better addition to our growing empire."

"Very well, Xevozz. We have done this before. You will locate the prime designate and summon it to our Thunderdome. Have the planet decomposed, but beforehand, visit our armory and patch up yourself."
____

"... and that is why you are summoned here, Loken," finished Xevozz.

Loken stared, slack-jawed, at Xevozz. He had listened to the entire story without interrupting once. He blinked, regained composure, and said a prayer to Yogg-Saron. "You will not do as you wish! It is not part of my master's plan, and I, a creation of the Titans, am an Immortal! What hope is there for you? None!"

With a roar, Loken unleashed a Pulsing Shockwave towards Xevozz, followed by lightning arcs.

"Ignorant scrap metal!" cried Xevozz, as he was hit by the blasts. "Don't you understand what lightning is? It. IS. Energy!"

Xevozz applied Arcane Buffet, summoned his Ethereal Sphere, and began pelting Loken's metallic frame with barrages of arcane energy. He hit the most crippling parts first, denting his shoulders and kneecaps, rendering Loken immobile.

"You stare blindly into the abyss!" shouted Loken.

"Yes, and that abyss screams profit," cooed Xevozz, as he let off another volley of arcane energy.

He summoned Loken to him and knelt down by the limp, stuttering Titan. "Did you know this lousy planet has been the only planet to catch me while prospecting?" Xevozz let off a final Arcane Barrage at Loken's head. "It's personal."

This week: King Ymiron versus Krik'thir the Gatewatcher

• The Two Bosses Thunderdome is considered neutral territory, where both combatants are able to access their usual encounter mechanics and abilities. If you can't imagine it inside the Thunderdome, imagine it someplace else – but you must include all of each bosses' abilities and mechanics.

• All of the competitors' abilities, including crowd control and other effects to which bosses are usually immune, work on their opponents (with apologies to considerations of lore on this point).

• Assume that the opponents share similar levels, health pools and comparative overall damage output.

• Don't get caught up in gameplay mechanics and what actual players might do in each encounter.

• Don't neglect style, story and scale.

In Corner One: King Ymiron of Utgarde Pinnacle

You invade my home and then dare to challenge me? I will tear the hearts from your chests and offer them as gifts to the death god! Rualg nja gaborr!

King Ymiron is the slumbering king of Northrend's Vrykul, the leader of the Dragonflayer clan who lies sleeping within Gjalerbron. Fanatically adored by his people, the now undead king has proven his worth to the Lich King.

• Bane

• Dark Slash

• Fetid Rot

• Screams of the Dead

Like the kingly Vrykul he is, King Ymiron hits like Thor's hammer. Normal hits are hard, and his Dark Slash cuts down 50 percent of the target's health. The king protects himself with Bane and complicates matters with the random cast of Fetid Rot.

Periodically during battle, King Ymiron's Screams of the Dead paralyze opponents for 8 seconds. During this time, he runs to one of the four longboats in the room to channel a spell from a Vrykul ancestor there. He will use that ability until the longboat burns shortly thereafter.

Spectators may choose a different scenario for the sake of this match's neutral setting, but Ymiron will continue to have access to the usual longboat abilities. Longboat abilities include:

• Spirit Burst

• Summons an orb that causes AoE shadow damage and moves around the room.

• Spirit Strike

• Summons minions

Read more about King Ymiron's abilities, and look over comments from players who've battled the king.

In Corner Two: Krik'thir the Gatewatcher of Azjol-Nerub

Keep an eye on the tunnel. We must not let anyone through!
I hear footsteps. Be on your guard.
I sense the living. Be ready.

Krik'thir, an Undead Nerubian vizier, is the first boss of Azjol-Nerub who guards the gate that leads further into the ancient city. His commander, Anub'Arak, is a powerful servant of the Lich King.

Krik'thir is accompanied by three groups of three spiders, led by Watcher Silthik, Watcher Gashra and Watcher Narjil. Some groups contain an Anub'ar Skirmisher. Once the first group of spiders has entered battle, the others (and later Krik'thir himself) will eventually join in.

Krik'thir the Gatewatcher

• Curse of Fatigue

• Frenzy

• Mind Flay

• Watcher Silthik

  • Infected Bite

  • Poison Spray

  • Web Wrap

• Watcher Gashra

  • Enrage

  • Infected Bite

  • Web Wrap

• Watcher Narjil

  • Blinding Webs

  • Infected Bite

  • Web Wrap

• Anub'ar Skirmisher

  • Backstab

  • Fixate

Read more about Krik'thir and his minions, and check out comments from players who've fought him.

Inside the Thunderdome

Two Boss matchups are about substance and style, not game play and mechanics. Don't base your strategies on player tactics, which opponent has been easiest or most difficult for you personally, or the difficulty of each opponent relative to instance progression. Vote for the spirit of the battle as set forth above. Set aside differences in opponents' health pools, game level and actual damage output. Absolutely no game-mechanic nitpicking!

Before you cast your vote, join the debate in the comments. Who wins, and why? Style points go to spectators who use the comments to sway other readers to their point of view!

%Poll-40206%

ORIGINAL WRATH FIVE-MAN SEASON: QUARTER FINALS

MATCH 1

Anub'Arak (Azjol-Nerub) -- WINNER!
vs.
King Dred (Drak'tharon Keep)

MATCH 2

Skadi the Ruthless (Utgarde Pinnacle)
vs.
Ley-Guardian Eregos (The Oculus) -- WINNER!

MATCH 3

Xevozz (Violet Hold)
vs.
Loken (Halls of Lightning) – WINNER!

MATCH 4

King Ymiron (Utgarde Pinnacle) (seeded at 60.3%)
vs.
Krik'thir the Gatewatcher (Azjol-Nerub) (seeded at 58.6%)

Who rocks Wrath's five-man world? Add your own narrative on what would happen when these mighty opponents meet up inside the Two Bosses Thunderdome. Anything's possible in the quarter-finals of Two Bosses Enter, One Boss Leaves: The Original Wrath Five-Man Season.